Just moved back to the states after 5 years. Sticker shock.

[JAFO]

@Neversure

Its funny. Personally I have never felt at anytime that I lowered my living standards moving to Thailand. In many regards I feel I improved them as I shed myself of just buying stuff to buy stuff and I got to stop working long before the avg retirement age of most Americans. Now I will say that some judge their quality of life or their living standards/status solely based on material possessions or how much they can buy. I get that. Its clearly an individual preference. I am glad I was fortunate enough to have lived both to fairly compare.

Just for me, there are some living standards I can't control, and some bother me in LOS.

Crap roads and crazy drivers.

Litter and piles of rubbish that smell and may even have rats in them.

Water into your dwelling that isn't safe to drink.

Lack of sanitary sewer.

Dangerous and unpredictable electrical installations.

Dirty streets, sidewalk and buildings with sidewalks so cluttered with carts and cars and scooters that it's dangerous to walk. Sometimes you have to walk in the street where no one cares what happens to you.

Uncertainty of food quality and safety.

I could go on and on, but to me any of those is lowering my standard of living.

To keep costs down the US imports nearly all its fruit and veggies from countries with absolutely no controls but it allows them to be cheaper in the stores. You have zero idea what was used to grow them.

Let me guess. Michael Moore told you that. Agriculture in California is 45 billion usd per year. In the Winter months, we do import from Mexico. They use our seeds/sprays/ and technology...it is inspected by USDA. Some other stuff from South America, that will cost double to triple the in-season price in the US.

Name something not grown in the US....or even California....Oranges were 7 thb per Kg in Arizona last year....or free if you new someone with a tree.

I do not follow conspiracy theory people. I only know the name of the guy you mentioned, I never read his junk. I only know what I see on stickers on the produce my wife and I buy. In fact(embarrasing as it is) I never ever paid attention before. I just bought what looked good or on sale. Now my wife on the other hand looks at everything. She started asking me, Why is this watermelon from Peru, Why are these Bananas from Equador, Why are these oranges from Mexico. Really funny, She told me the garlic she bought last week was from China...I said "NO WAY". I go look and right on the packet label "Grown and imported from China". The irony in that is we live 45 minutes from Gilroy the "Garlic Capital of the World", go figure. Nearly all the Asian stores import which is why they have put a hurt on the big chain stores who probably buy local.

Without diving into politics because that's not the point of the thread, I understand why we import, people in America want everything cheap. We as American's are concerned about gross margin. Its always the bottom-line. While I have no statistics clearly we import for lower cost and export what we grow to make money. Selling local probably raises the costs where people will not buy it. Now I am in no way saying all is imported, I know its a split. But what I am saying is that anything imported I would never believe were grown and supervised and inspected to USDA standards. They can say what they want but a person with a descent level of intelligence knows the reality.

[JAFO]

May I ask what part of Thailand you live in that you experience all of this?

I have experienced a few roads in need of repair but no worse then where I currently live now in Calif. Generally speaking the roads are better in the US but not worlds apart. Personally dealing with the inept drivers in the US I would take Thai drivers over the fools I contend with every day but that is clearly a personal threshold limit. Some have far better driving and patience skills then others.

I do not see any of the rubbish you speak of where I am located. I will say I did see it in BKK frequently and it was a bit nasty Hence why BKK was nothing more than a stop over and leave.

In the US it is recommended that you do not drink any tap water in most states and most do not, its all bottled water like Thailand. Of course Brita and all the other water filtration companies in the US make a killing on water purification systems. Bottled water is just fine for me. I like it cold anyway.

I have a septic tank and leech field as do all my neighbors, pretty standard safe practices and used world wide

I have never experienced dangerous electrical installations. I have seen some really ugly wire messes in BKK along Wireless Road (which in itself is an oxymoron) but where I live its pretty normal. Telephone poles and wires.

Do not see any of the street, sidewalk issues you mentioned(This all sounds like BKK living)

As for food, my wife and I know the people that raise the pigs, chickens and fish. We grow our own vegetables and fruit and trade with neighbors who grow things we do not. I have to say this is WAY WAY better then the US. To keep costs down the US imports nearly all its fruit and veggies from countries with absolutely no controls but it allows them to be cheaper in the stores. You have zero idea what was used to grow them.

Again, not trying to cite a debate with you, just quite interested where you experience all those things. I would say if it was that bad for me I may not have ever moved or I would have given it a deeper consideration. I can see where those things you mentioned are marginal.

Having driven all over Thailand, I'll again debate this with you about the roads being better here and the drivers better. I lived 20 years in California, I know the roads quite well. The drivers are extremely aggressive in the US, that's for sure. But there are some terrible drivers here. A lot due to drunk driving. I'd hate to think of how many people I know who've been in accidents here with drunk drivers. And there are some absolutely wonderful roads in the US, with proper guardrails, signage, drainage, shoulders, lane markings, etc.

Trash is everywhere. I was on a drive in the back roads of Pattaya yesterday. Trash everywhere. These are pretty much Thai only villages. Their sewage primarily goes into the storm drains, as does all the houses in my village. I walk on the beach several times a week. I know exactly where this effluent comes out into the ocean. Never see this in the US. One reason I don't swim at my local beach. Never. There is no sewage treatment for a good part of Thailand.

As for electrical, it's a huge mess here. We have blackouts constantly. That was a rare thing back home. I was a at a guys house yesterday. Very nice village. He laughed about the wiring saying when he changed a particular bulb, the whole house goes black. Electrical standards are just not followed properly here.

The US grows a significant amount of the produce it consumes. Oranges, apples, cherries, berries, etc. Being from California, you've obviously seen the miles and miles of fruit and vegetable farms. I miss fresh cherries and berries!!! But absolutely love the fruits here.

As for health standards, these reports are worth reading:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/571167-just-one-fifth-of-wastewater-in-thailand-is-being-treated/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3269779/

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/life/The-pesticides-on-our-plates-30188702.html

@Craig3365,

Your points are duly noted. However referencing Pattaya for anything is not going to gain you much traction in your points, Just like if I tried to reference East Palo Alto, Oyster Point or Compton. They are all Ghettos and one should never expect much from any of them. They have trash everywhere, burned down cars on the road or stripped cars in the yard, wet garbage in front yard, Mattresses on the front porch, incredible violent crime rates etc. Now whats sad about that is, America being this "Super Country" one would think this is not possible, but it is and its everywhere America so we could debate this for hours. My point is that its all about location location location. That has been a Realtor term here for years. So while I appreciate what you see driving around ( and I have seen it too) I see the same thing here which is why I chose not to live in those areas. I am only concerned about the area I live.

In the end it all boils down to personal preference and whats works for the individual. I just know for me Its a real simple decision. I can retire 15 years before the average American and live quite comfortably and do what I want when I want. For me it is simpy far cheaper for me to live in Thailand. My pocket book says so. I absolutely agree that Thailand is not the "Golden Nirvana" but it works for those people who don't dive to deep into things that they cannot change or influence. Just like here in the US. I find that a lot of foreigners in Thailand scream at the top of their lungs and stress over things they can't change thus making them bitter and irritable. What's the point? Look at it for what it is. Sure I could stay here in the US and work as an exec for companies until 65 and then what? Chances are by then I would have to succumb to the "Pilled" up program from the local docs favorites like Lipitor, Lunesta, hosts of blood thinners, diabete meds etc. Being those cause other side effects I would probably have to take Viagra or Cialis to keep the wifey happy. Its a viscous cycle. Don't forget that the drug cocktail makes people incontinent so better buy the Adult diapers because you cant fart anymore with confidence. This is one of the major reasons why older folks do not travel. They fear being to far from their doctor or proper bathrooms. Its a common theme here. I see it and hear it all the time. My parents live in a retirement community and that's all they talk about, Meds and doc appointments. That is not how I want to live out my last 25 or so years of life. But to each his own. If one loves it here or its a better deal in the US I highly encourage they stay. No problem for me.

[NeverSure]

I understand what you're saying. I'm simply unable to enter into a conversation that includes me buying a house in Thailand because I can't own the land and I could lose it.

Therefore it is worthless to me and I'd never buy one. If I did buy one, it would literally have zero value on my balance sheet.

I don't believe you. You could compare the cost of condos or rental properties but you won't because you know there is no comparison in price. You can own a condo in Thailand and you can own a condo in the USA. So what's the problem?

It is like me saying that I will only compare Etan trucks knowing that you can't buy one in the USA.

Again maybe zone planning and consumer rights or home owner rights are not the same in both country's ,the Thai government doesn't give a hoot about foreigners in property dispute's

Not only the Thai government. You might want to google, "Right of eminent domain." That's one of the reasons I said renting in Thailand is a good idea but since Neversure knows that apartment rents are 80% less money in Thailand he refuses to debate the point.

Play fair. I didn't say a thing about rent.

[craigt3365]

@Craig3365,

Your points are duly noted. However referencing Pattaya for anything is not going to gain you much traction in your points, Just like if I tried to reference East Palo Alto, Oyster Point or Compton. They are all Ghettos and one should never expect much from any of them. They have trash everywhere, burned down cars on the road or stripped cars in the yard, wet garbage in front yard, Mattresses on the front porch, incredible violent crime rates etc. Now whats sad about that is, America being this "Super Country" one would think this is not possible, but it is and its everywhere America so we could debate this for hours. My point is that its all about location location location. That has been a Realtor term here for years. So while I appreciate what you see driving around ( and I have seen it too) I see the same thing here which is why I chose not to live in those areas. I am only concerned about the area I live.

In the end it all boils down to personal preference and whats works for the individual. I just know for me Its a real simple decision. I can retire 15 years before the average American and live quite comfortably and do what I want when I want. For me it is simpy far cheaper for me to live in Thailand. My pocket book says so. I absolutely agree that Thailand is not the "Golden Nirvana" but it works for those people who don't dive to deep into things that they cannot change or influence. Just like here in the US. I find that a lot of foreigners in Thailand scream at the top of their lungs and stress over things they can't change thus making them bitter and irritable. What's the point? Look at it for what it is. Sure I could stay here in the US and work as an exec for companies until 65 and then what? Chances are by then I would have to succumb to the "Pilled" up program from the local docs favorites like Lipitor, Lunesta, hosts of blood thinners, diabete meds etc. Being those cause other side effects I would probably have to take Viagra or Cialis to keep the wifey happy. Its a viscous cycle. Don't forget that the drug cocktail makes people incontinent so better buy the Adult diapers because you cant fart anymore with confidence. This is one of the major reasons why older folks do not travel. They fear being to far from their doctor or proper bathrooms. Its a common theme here. I see it and hear it all the time. My parents live in a retirement community and that's all they talk about, Meds and doc appointments. That is not how I want to live out my last 25 or so years of life. But to each his own. If one loves it here or its a better deal in the US I highly encourage they stay. No problem for me.

You obviously don't know Pattaya real well. Sure, you could narrow it down to one specific neighborhood, but like Palo Alto, there are many different parts. In Palo Alto, my friends father lived in a multi-million dollar house. Absolutely fantastic. Pattaya also has some fantastic neighborhoods. And some wonderful houses. Like Palo Alto, get out of the bad area and look at the rest of the city. I also know Compton very well. LA has some really bad neighborhoods. So does pretty much every other major city around the world.

So please, don't call Pattaya a ghetto. It's totally inappropriate and we classify posts like that as troll posts. Against forum rules.

P.S. I've never seen a burned out car here or stripped cars in the yard. Nor the rest of what you post.

100% agree with you on the retirement point. That's why I was able to retire here at age 46. Could never do that back home. But I'm also giving up a fair amount to do so. As has been mentioned, you can live here cheap. But only if you forgo some items. And has been mentioned before also, some just don't care about these items. To each his own. Some of these items are important to some of us.

[Thighlander]

To keep costs down the US imports nearly all its fruit and veggies from countries with absolutely no controls but it allows them to be cheaper in the stores. You have zero idea what was used to grow them.

Let me guess. Michael Moore told you that. Agriculture in California is 45 billion usd per year. In the Winter months, we do import from Mexico. They use our seeds/sprays/ and technology...it is inspected by USDA. Some other stuff from South America, that will cost double to triple the in-season price in the US.

Name something not grown in the US....or even California....Oranges were 7 thb per Kg in Arizona last year....or free if you new someone with a tree.

I do not follow conspiracy theory people. I only know the name of the guy you mentioned, I never read his junk. I only know what I see on stickers on the produce my wife and I buy. In fact(embarrasing as it is) I never ever paid attention before. I just bought what looked good or on sale. Now my wife on the other hand looks at everything. She started asking me, Why is this watermelon from Peru, Why are these Bananas from Equador, Why are these oranges from Mexico. Really funny, She told me the garlic she bought last week was from China...I said "NO WAY". I go look and right on the packet label "Grown and imported from China". The irony in that is we live 45 minutes from Gilroy the "Garlic Capital of the World", go figure. Nearly all the Asian stores import which is why they have put a hurt on the big chain stores who probably buy local.

Without diving into politics because that's not the point of the thread, I understand why we import, people in America want everything cheap. We as American's are concerned about gross margin. Its always the bottom-line. While I have no statistics clearly we import for lower cost and export what we grow to make money. Selling local probably raises the costs where people will not buy it. Now I am in no way saying all is imported, I know its a split. But what I am saying is that anything imported I would never believe were grown and supervised and inspected to USDA standards. They can say what they want but a person with a descent level of intelligence knows the reality.

http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm362462.htm

according to this statement by FDA......only 20% of vegetables are imported. A high percentage of those are from Mexico. As stated before, the Mexicans successfully use our technology, and often have our people onsite, providing assistance to the farmer.

Edited September 21, 2014 by Thighlander

[jonesthebaker]

So we can conclude that while here, you lived wholly like a Thai?

No cheese or wine? No single malts or cream cheese? No Doritos? No rib-eyes? No bacon and sausage for breakfast? No tacos or burritos? All of which are still cheaper in the States.

Living "frugally" can be quite a yawn inducing existence.

I understand your sentiments, but me, I'm not interested in "getting by." I'd rather work hard and play hard. I've got five years here non-stop myself, and can't wait to go back, both to work at a very nice salary, and to eat, eat, eat.

It's all relevant.

I lived like a Thai but I had plenty of money for "entertainment". 40,000 baht a month goes much further in Thailand than here. There is a lot of cheap food in the US but it is very unhealthy as you already know. I personally prefer Thai food to farang food. I seldom paid more than 30 baht for a good meal in Pattaya or northern Thailand.

pray tell me, i have lived in Pattaya for 21 years, where can one get a good meal for 30 baht or even a cup of coffee?

[balo]

So we can conclude that while here, you lived wholly like a Thai?

No cheese or wine? No single malts or cream cheese? No Doritos? No rib-eyes? No bacon and sausage for breakfast? No tacos or burritos? All of which are still cheaper in the States.

Living "frugally" can be quite a yawn inducing existence.

I understand your sentiments, but me, I'm not interested in "getting by." I'd rather work hard and play hard. I've got five years here non-stop myself, and can't wait to go back, both to work at a very nice salary, and to eat, eat, eat.

It's all relevant.

I lived like a Thai but I had plenty of money for "entertainment". 40,000 baht a month goes much further in Thailand than here. There is a lot of cheap food in the US but it is very unhealthy as you already know. I personally prefer Thai food to farang food. I seldom paid more than 30 baht for a good meal in Pattaya or northern Thailand.

pray tell me, i have lived in Pattaya for 21 years, where can one get a good meal for 30 baht or even a cup of coffee?

Any street stall away from the tourist areas, Eat like the locals, its not really that hard.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

pray tell me, i have lived in Pattaya for 21 years, where can one get a good meal for 30 baht or even a cup of coffee?

Dunno about Pattaya, but all over the place around CM.

My regular coffee/breakfast shop,

I just had a nice iced Latte for 35 bht (hot latte was 30 bht), and they threw in all I could eat breakfast

(Chinese tour group had just passed through, and they had ordered too much food)

Egg noodles with pork, pork fried rice, rice soup with chicken.

Free food happens about twice a week.

The Thai eatery around the corner from my house, everything on the menu 30 bht. 5 bht extra if you want a fried egg on top.

(It's always more than I can eat)

[Thighlander]

Agreed, I had three meals yesterday. Pad See Ew pork for 30 thb, noodle soup with white chicken meat cut right off the whole chicken was 35 thb, and I drank my third meal: 5 large Leos for 199, but I did do 8 pork satay sticks for 40 THB.

Edited September 21, 2014 by Thighlander

[craigt3365]

I lived like a Thai but I had plenty of money for "entertainment". 40,000 baht a month goes much further in Thailand than here. There is a lot of cheap food in the US but it is very unhealthy as you already know. I personally prefer Thai food to farang food. I seldom paid more than 30 baht for a good meal in Pattaya or northern Thailand.

pray tell me, i have lived in Pattaya for 21 years, where can one get a good meal for 30 baht or even a cup of coffee?

Any street stall away from the tourist areas, Eat like the locals, its not really that hard.

I wouldn't call 30B food a good meal. Ingredients are of the lowest quality and the health standards are pretty much non-existent. You can eat healthy food in the US, but mostly you'll have to cook it yourself if you don't want to spend much money. But not much different than here. Most food here is deep fried and/or processed stuff cooked in palm oil with MSG added. Go to Makro and see how many 5L cans of palm oil and how many big bags of MSG restaurants are buying. It's crazy.

They just did a report on the Thai news of the dangers of the white noodles. I guess they are processed in an unhealthy way to make them white. I couldn't find the article, but this talks about ramen noodles. Again, scary. And I LOVE ramen noodles!!

https://www.yahoo.com/health/why-ramen-noodles-could-cut-your-life-short-94747327572.html

Holy hotplates! Instant ramen noodles, beloved cheap dinner of college kids and budget eaters everywhere, have been linked to heart attacks and diabetes. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that the ramen, along with other instant noodle products, may increase a person’s risk for cardiometabolic syndrome — a risk factor for severe cardiovascular disease and stroke — especially in women.

“This research is significant since many people are consuming instant noodles without knowing possible health risks,” said lead researcher Hyun Joon Shin, MD, in a press release. Shin, a clinical cardiology fellow at Baylor University Medical Center and a nutrition epidemiology doctoral student at the Harvard School of Public Health, could not be reached for further comment.

For the study, researchers looked at the data of 10,711 adults between the ages of 19 and 64, collected via the nationally representative Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of 2007-2009. They found that eating instant noodles — ramen, lo mein, glass, Thai, or other — twice or more a week was associated with cardiometabolic syndrome, a collection of abnormalities affecting the body’s cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic systems.

[Thighlander]

big difference between dried white noodles and kiddie food noodles.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

big difference between dried white noodles and kiddie food noodles.

I had egg noodles!

I think Craig is suggesting we avoid this nasty chemically enhanced Thai food, and eat in the good old USA original healthy style.

KFC, McD or Pizza Hut then anyone? (with upsized everything!)

Edited September 21, 2014 by AnotherOneAmerican

[craigt3365]

big difference between dried white noodles and kiddie food noodles.

I had egg noodles!

I think Craig is suggesting we avoid this nasty chemically enhanced Thai food, and eat in the good old USA original healthy style.

KFC, McD or Pizza Hut then anyone? (with upsized everything!)

I think you are misquoting me! I never eat KFC, McD or Pizza Hut. Never eat anything deep fried unless I have to. Well...do order from Pizza Company every other month or so...LOL. Just saying Thai food isn't as healthy as everyone thinks. Like food in every country, some are good, some aren't.

That news article said the yellow egg noodles were good. The white noodles used chemicals to make them white. I'm trying to find an English article that discusses this....

[Thighlander]

likely similar to white bread.......

[thailiketoo]

Play fair. I didn't say a thing about rent.

No, I know you didn't but we could. Given that housing expense is by far the largest percent of living expense compare two equal places in Thailand and the States like NYC and Bangkok or Chiang Mai and San Francisco or Pattaya and Las Vegas. I'm open to discuss any other city comparisons that may be better. Compare rent to rent. Single retired man is the area I am familiar with in both the States and Thailand.

Edited September 21, 2014 by thailiketoo

[jonesthebaker]

So we can conclude that while here, you lived wholly like a Thai?

No cheese or wine? No single malts or cream cheese? No Doritos? No rib-eyes? No bacon and sausage for breakfast? No tacos or burritos? All of which are still cheaper in the States.

Living "frugally" can be quite a yawn inducing existence.

I understand your sentiments, but me, I'm not interested in "getting by." I'd rather work hard and play hard. I've got five years here non-stop myself, and can't wait to go back, both to work at a very nice salary, and to eat, eat, eat.

It's all relevant.

I lived like a Thai but I had plenty of money for "entertainment". 40,000 baht a month goes much further in Thailand than here. There is a lot of cheap food in the US but it is very unhealthy as you already know. I personally prefer Thai food to farang food. I seldom paid more than 30 baht for a good meal in Pattaya or northern Thailand.

pray tell me, i have lived in Pattaya for 21 years, where can one get a good meal for 30 baht or even a cup of coffee?

Any street stall away from the tourist areas, Eat like the locals, its not really that hard.

as i said. i have lived in Pattya for 21 years and could drive a taxi for a livng . i know every nook and cranny. my question was where to get a 'good' meal for 30 baht. not poor quality street food cooked in reused and reused oil. or noodles with little or no real nutritional value.

for a family of 3 (the wife, son and I) we spend 7000 baht per week on food shopping. and i would say we eat very modestly. of course i could cut that down to 300 baht per day if we decided to eat poor quality street food.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

for a family of 3 (the wife, son and I) we spend 7000 baht per week on food shopping. and i would say we eat very modestly. of course i could cut that down to 300 baht per day if we decided to eat poor quality street food.

As a family of 5 (4 adults & 3yo), I spend about 4,000 bht a month on food.

At least two meals a day cooked at home.

Edited September 21, 2014 by AnotherOneAmerican

[jonesthebaker]

for a family of 3 (the wife, son and I) we spend 7000 baht per week on food shopping. and i would say we eat very modestly. of course i could cut that down to 300 baht per day if we decided to eat poor quality street food.

As a family of 5 (4 adults & 3yo), I spend about 4,000 bht a month on food.

At least two meals a day cooked at home.

i have two small dogs and spend 2000 baht per month on food for them . so yes i get the picture. if i had 4 small dogs then i would spend the same as what you spend on 4 adults and a child.

suppose it is all relative as to wht we are willing to consume! (and what we consider as being 'good' food)

Edited September 21, 2014 by jonesthebaker

[55Jay]

The OP values the availability of cheap vice.

Probably cares very little about the yellow vs. white noodle debate.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

suppose it is all relative as to wht we are willing to consume! (and what we consider as being 'good' food)

I consume quite a lot of baked food, but I bake it myself and flour costs almost nothing (24 bht/kilo).

(Bread, pie, cake, biscuit)

I probable eat a lot better than you.

Edited September 21, 2014 by AnotherOneAmerican

[jonesthebaker]

suppose it is all relative as to wht we are willing to consume! (and what we consider as being 'good' food)

I consume quite a lot of baked food, but I bake it myself and flour costs almost nothing (24 bht/kilo).

(Bread, pie, cake, biscuit)

I probable eat a lot better than you.

quite an odd thing to imagine. but i guess we will never know.

[balo]

I make an excellent omelette at home and I only use coconut oil when I cook , It's the healthiest oil you'll find in Thailand.

[thailiketoo]

pray tell me, i have lived in Pattaya for 21 years, where can one get a good meal for 30 baht or even a cup of coffee?

Any street stall away from the tourist areas, Eat like the locals, its not really that hard.

as i said. i have lived in Pattya for 21 years and could drive a taxi for a livng . i know every nook and cranny. my question was where to get a 'good' meal for 30 baht. not poor quality street food cooked in reused and reused oil. or noodles with little or no real nutritional value.

for a family of 3 (the wife, son and I) we spend 7000 baht per week on food shopping. and i would say we eat very modestly. of course i could cut that down to 300 baht per day if we decided to eat poor quality street food.

40 baht buys three kinds of lettuce add steamed white meat of chicken and Caesar dressing and croûtons. Cow men gai is steamed white chicken, on white rice with chicken soup; 30 to 40 baht.

Roast chicken and sticky rice for three 30 baht a person. Steamed sweet potato and hard boiled quail eggs and fish 30 baht a person. If you know Pattaya you know where to buy. Nothing I mentioned is fried. But if I do use oil I use olive oil.

1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 1 tbsp. coconut oil

Calories 120 120

Total fat (g) 14 14

Saturated fat (g) 1 12

Cholesterol (mg) 0 0

Edited September 21, 2014 by thailiketoo

[Thighlander]

Play fair. I didn't say a thing about rent.

No, I know you didn't but we could. Given that housing expense is by far the largest percent of living expense compare two equal places in Thailand and the States like NYC and Bangkok or Chiang Mai and San Francisco or Pattaya and Las Vegas. I'm open to discuss any other city comparisons that may be better. Compare rent to rent. Single retired man is the area I am familiar with in both the States and Thailand.

The other day on CNBC; they quoted a study showing that retirees were surprised to find that housing related costs are their biggest expense, with the average retiree in the US, spending 45% of their income on housing related expenses. Seen a lot of Americans refinance their homes at age 50+, re-starting the 30 year clock. These are often amounts well over 2000 usd per month. Then there is the reverse mortgage, which has been impIicated to border on fraud. I think the law in Thailand, restricting mortgages to those under 65 is likely a good idea. For no cost it provides a lot of security for Thais.

[Thighlander]

A 35 thb meal in one of the most expensive areas of the entire country:

[thailiketoo]

Kow Men Gai $6.00 Portland OR. $1.00 Thailand. Not a fried morsel in sight.

What do you sell? Khao Man Gai ($6), or poached chicken served on jasmine rice with cucumber slices and cilantro.

http://www.seriouseats.com/2009/10/street-food-profiles-nongs-khao-man-gai-in-portland-oregon.html

Sticker shock would be paying $6.00 for 35 baht Kow Men Gai from a street food vendor in Portland OR.

Edited September 21, 2014 by thailiketoo

[Kudel]

A 35 thb meal in one of the most expensive areas of the entire country:

Yeah mate make's met want to move to Thailand because of 35 baht meals .

[Thighlander]

A 35 thb meal in one of the most expensive areas of the entire country:

Yeah mate make's met want to move to Thailand because of 35 baht meals .

it leaves you a lot left over to help sick buffalo and "tuition assistance," for some fine young ladies.

[JAFO]

Kow Men Gai $6.00 Portland OR. $1.00 Thailand. Not a fried morsel in sight.

What do you sell? Khao Man Gai ($6), or poached chicken served on jasmine rice with cucumber slices and cilantro.

http://www.seriouseats.com/2009/10/street-food-profiles-nongs-khao-man-gai-in-portland-oregon.html

Sticker shock would be paying $6.00 for 35 baht Kow Men Gai from a street food vendor in Portland OR.

My wife was absolutely amazed at what the cost of a Thai dish here is. 6- 10x more on most dishes some even higher. If you must be a super snob there are places that are even more. As my wife noted, most are not made authentic she said its too hard to get some of the real spices here. My wife brought back a few menus to her sister and friends, they all laughed.

[northernjohn]

So we can conclude that while here, you lived wholly like a Thai?

No cheese or wine? No single malts or cream cheese? No Doritos? No rib-eyes? No bacon and sausage for breakfast? No tacos or burritos? All of which are still cheaper in the States.

Living "frugally" can be quite a yawn inducing existence.

I understand your sentiments, but me, I'm not interested in "getting by." I'd rather work hard and play hard. I've got five years here non-stop myself, and can't wait to go back, both to work at a very nice salary, and to eat, eat, eat.

It's all relevant.

I think you missed the point here.

The OP was here for five years also and was shocked at the prices back in the states. Yes he lived cheaply and you don't.

But that in no way alters the fact that things are a lot more expensive there than they were five years ago.